Clemons, Browner return for Hawks

Defensive end Chris Clemons was back after an anterior cruciate ligament tear in last year’s wild-card playoff game against Washington put him on injured reserve.

Cornerback Brandon Browner returned from a hamstring injury to play for the first time this year. His presence made the “Legion of Boom” – the Seahawks’ secondary of Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and Browner – whole.

Clemons was credited with zero tackles and a quarterback hit. Browner had two tackles and two passes defensed.

“It was good to be back out there playing with the boys,” Browner said.

Clemons said he did not feel rusty after his long road back. Clemons also tore his ACL during his rookie year in 2003.

“You know you wake up some days feeling great and some days feeling like I don’t know if I can do it again,” Clemons said. “The biggest thing was just trusting what they had me doing as far as rehab and weight room.”

The Seahawks lost defensive tackle Red Bryant to back spasms in the third quarter and wide receiver Jermaine Kearse to an ankle sprain early in the second quarter. Kearse was in a walking boot after the game.

Right tackle Breno Giacomini re-aggravated the knee that limited him in practice Wednesday before he fully participated in practice Thursday and Friday. Giacomini rode the on-field stationary bike much of the second half Sunday after he said the Seahawks shut him down for precautionary reasons.

Running back Marshawn Lynch has the nickname “Beast Mode” for his aggressive and direct play.

Defensive end Michael Bennett made need a moniker, too.

Bennett had 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hits against Jacksonville.

“He’s alive,” Carroll said. “He has such a great motor. He plays so hard, he really compliments our style of play. He’s just a factor.”

Bennett was signed as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason after playing with Tampa Bay from 2009-12. He started in the NFL with the Seahawks, when they brought him in as a college free agent. The Bucs then claimed him off waivers in 2009.

He had nine sacks and three forced fumbles last year.

Bennett has 2.5 sacks in just two weeks of play this year.

JACKSON BACK IN ACTION

Brought in to back up Russell Wilson just a year after leaving the Seahawks in 2011, Tarvaris Jackson had a crisp afternoon against the Jaguars.

Jackson was 7-for-8 passing for 129 yards and a 35-yard touchdown to Doug Baldwin. Jackson also ran for a touchdown.

“I thought he played lights out,” Carroll said. “It’s really a big deal he’s able to play like that. Run the whole offense and use all of those people, and run the ball into the end zone one time. I thought that was an obvious demonstration that he’s a big asset for us.”

todd.dybas@thenewstribune.com @Todd_Dybas

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